Why do people call them lizards?  I do get it, but really, isn't it just a tad too much of "I'm one of the boys because I said 'lizard' and not flathead?"

Meh.

Flat out like a lizard drinking (saltwater)
and because their skin is lizard like.

I do agree with you Aussie. It's piss poor comedy at its best right up there with calling Victorians Mexicans, drop bears, mudsharks, etc. Just more of your Media culture's version of Australia.

Personally I prefer Gurnard/Latchet over Flathead any day.

Jasin wrote on Dec 21^st, 2024 at 5:53pm:

Flat out like a lizard drinking (saltwater) and because their skin is lizard like. I do agree with you Aussie. It's piss poor comedy at its best right up there with calling Victorians Mexicans, drop bears, mudsharks, etc. Just more of your Media culture's version of Australia. Personally I prefer Gurnard/Latchet over Flathead any day.

Goodness me Mellie Cook- you really are a handy girly boy to know I'll say. Aussie is onto a winner here- well done to good old Aussie ????

but you are mentally ill- i know that much about you!!

Not even yours or Lisa's charms in the past fooled me to reveal who I really am. VIC's wise words when I joined, made sure of that. You probably still think I look like Jason Moana.😆

Jasin wrote on Dec 24^th, 2024 at 6:16am:

Not even yours or Lisa's charms in the past fooled me to reveal who I really am. VIC's wise words when I joined, made sure of that. You probably still think I look like Jason Moana.😆

That's Momoa  ;D

I call them Flathead, flatties or lizard.

They are ambush predators, lying motionless & dug in the sand, they are well camouflaged & motley like a lizard.

It's no big deal either way ... other fishermen know what you're talking about.

The best way I found to catch Flatheads (Chinese lizards) is to free dive.
The trick is SOUND underwater. I would just have a hand spear, but use this as a walking stick in the shallower dives to move along quietly, never flipping my flippers (loud noise). I could even sneak up through the long grass on Mullet. In the deeper 10m depths, a good breath hold is essential so you have a good distancing from your splash down noise.
Flatheads just laying in a small sand patch among all the lush plant life, believe they are camouflaged. So you play along with that. It's all about Sound and now water turbulence. I use as slow a motion as I can to move my hand under them and lift them into my transparent net bag. Sometimes they swim right into it.
I've learnt to catch fish with minimal stress and no blood.
I just got sick of Wobbies, Bronzies and adolescent (the biters) Whities going at me for my caught fish.
I also learner from NZ divers &Spearos that any spot that is regularly being hit, the majority of resident fish leave.
So I had to change my game. I've even bagged a big Kingy by just wiggling my finger through the end of my bigger transparent sack. In it went like Peccary being curious.

So if you want the enjoyment of catching your fish with your gloved hands and no damage to the fish. Do it quietly and slowly. No more being harassed by sharks either. No blood in the water.